The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published a policy document on persistent organic pollutants (POPs). This document details the criteria for substances being listed as POPs under the Stockholm Convention, the UK’s obligations under the Convention, and the progress made by the UK in this regard. The document has been added to Defra's existing collection of information relating to POPs.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has published a policy paper outlining environmental compensatory measures reforms (ECMR) for offshore wind and the proposed compensation hierarchy. The paper summarises the policy and delivery context for ECMR the offshore wind statutory instrument (SI). Defra has also announced plans to publish further guidance and information when the SI comes into force in May 2026. This additional information will include a proposed version of the compensation hierarchy referenced in the SI. The reforms are intended to enable wider compensatory measures for offshore wind development projects.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has published a policy paper outlining plans to introduce mandatory due diligence requirements for businesses in Great Britain (GB). Utilising powers under the Environment Act 2021, the initiative aims to address illegal deforestation in supply chains. The policy paper also notes that the EU Regulation on Deforestation-Free Products (EUDR) will be implemented in Northern Ireland in phases from 30 December 2026. Defra intends to launch a consultation later in 2026 on a proposed GB regime that will cover the same core commodities—such as soy, palm oil, cocoa and rubber—and adhere to similar information requirements as the EUDR. Defra’s stated ambition is to ultimately transition to a deforestation-free standard.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published a policy paper outlining the Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment (NCEA) programme. The policy paper details the purpose of the NCEA which is to survey England’s land, freshwater and coastal ecosystems and produce a baseline assessment of the country’s natural assets by 2029. The NCEA is a science innovation and transformation programme that supports the government’s wider goal of restoring and enhancing the environment. In addition to the baseline, the NCEA is investing in Defra’s long-term environmental monitoring capabilities to enable the adoption of a natural capital approach to policy and decision-making. The paper also sets out the key objectives underpinning this work and highlights the strategic partnerships formed to support delivery of the programme.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has published a policy paper on alternative ways of managing English fishing quota, following consultations in 2021 and 2022. Trials will take place in England to allocate fishing quota differently through a community quota scheme in Cornwall and a quota application mechanism.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published a policy paper, outlining the government's vision for delivering the 30by30 target for land in England, along with the criteria for land and inland water that can contribute to this target. This follows the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Steve Reed’s announcement at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), where he stated that the government has collaborated with farming groups and nature organisations to finalise this criteria. The policy paper also comprises the government’s next steps for developing a 30by30 delivery strategy and assessment and reporting process. Analysis is underway to identify additional land that may already meet the criteria and determine where action and support is required. A 30by30 pilot is planned for later this year, with the government aiming to work with partners to develop a 30by30 delivery strategy in 2025.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Welsh Government have published a policy paper setting out their approach to reforming the waste exemptions system. The reforms include prohibitions on the use of waste exemptions in specified circumstances, limits on the number of exemptions that can be used at a single site, increased requirements for waste operators to record information about their exemptions and technical changes to waste codes and conditions to improve consistency.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published a policy paper outlining plans to reform England's waste carrier, broker and dealer system. The proposals include transitioning from a registration-based to a permit-based system with three permit types: (1) waste controller; (2) waste transporter; and (3) combined waste controller-transporter. The reforms also include enhanced background checks for those operating as waste carriers, brokers or dealers, along with a new technical competence requirement.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published a technical policy paper outlining its methodology for estimating the cost of nationalising the water industry. The paper sets out the assumptions and approach underpinning Defra’s £100bn estimate for nationalising the sector in England and Wales.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published a policy statement on the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for drinks containers in England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. The statement outlines what the DRS is, its intended benefits, how it will operate, and the roles and responsibilities of the designated deposit management organisation (DMO) overseeing the scheme. The UK Deposit Management Organisation Limited has been appointed as the DMO. The DRS is set to become available to consumers in October 2027.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published a policy statement on the Water (Special Measures) Bill, detailing how the provisions in the Bill are intended to be applied. Defra has published a press release, outlining how the Bill seeks to implement wider measures to clean up and reform the water sector and strengthen regulation. The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Steve Reed, has also published a speech on the introduction of the Bill to Parliament.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published a policy statement, outlining its approach to the wild release and management of beavers in England, including support for farmers, landowners, and local communities. The approach focuses on three main objectives: licensing the wild release of beavers, managing existing wild populations, and developing a long-term management plan. Reintroductions will be carefully managed to minimise adverse effects on farming, food production, and infrastructure. New wild release projects must have a project plan covering at least a ten-year period before Natural England will consider granting a licence. Defra has also published several guidance documents, alongside a resource collection page for managing beavers on private land and their reintroduction into the wild.